Exit and disposal activities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2021

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring and Related Costs

Costs related to exit and disposal activities under the Transformational Cost Management Program for the three months ended November 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, were as follows (in millions):

Three months ended November 30, 2021	United States		International		Corporate and Other		Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Lease obligations and other real estate costs	$	87	$	2	$	—	$	89
Asset impairments	15		25		—		40
Employee severance and business transition costs	20		10		7		37
Information technology transformation and other exit costs	1		7		1		9
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	$	123	$	44	$	9	$	175

Three months ended November 30, 2020	United States		International		Corporate and Other		Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Lease obligations and other real estate costs	$	22	$	—	$	—	$	22
Asset impairments	4		(2)		—		1
Employee severance and business transition costs	12		28		12		52
Information technology transformation and other exit costs	10		(5)		—		5
Total pre-tax exit and disposal charges	$	48	$	21	$	12	$	81

Change in Restructuring Liabilities

The changes in liabilities and assets related to the exit and disposal activities under Transformational Cost Management Program include the following (in millions):

	Lease obligations and other real estate costs		Asset Impairments		Employee severance and business transition costs		Information technology transformation and other exit costs		Total
Balance at August 31, 2021	$	17	$	—	$	77	$	20	$	114
Costs	89		40		37		9		175
Payments	(15)		—		(51)		(7)		(74)
Other	(72)		(40)		(3)		—		(115)
Currency	—		—		(1)		—		(1)
Balance at November 30, 2021	$	19	$	—	$	59	$	23	$	101